Elizabeth Blackwell's groundbreaking journey to becoming the first woman in the United States to earn a medical degree at the age of 28 in 1849 paved the way for generations of women in medicine. Her unwavering determination and resilience serve as a powerful reminder of the obstacles women have faced—and continue to overcome—in their pursuit of medical excellence.

As we celebrate National Women Physicians Day, we invite you to reflect on Blackwell's story. Elizabeth Blackwell was:

  • Rejected from medical school 29 times.
  • Accepted to Geneva Medical College after the entire student body of 150 men voted for her approval as a joke.
  • Barred from a lecture on reproductive anatomy.
  • Treated with hostility by colleagues and male patients.
  • Exposed to an infected patient and lost sight in one eye, yet continued to practice medicine.
  • Refused a physician's position in the women's department of a large city medical practice.

Despite these challenges, Blackwell never wavered in her passion for medicine. After every rejection, she pressed forward. She graduated at the top of her class, opened her own medical practice when denied opportunities, and refused to let adversity stand in her way. Blackwell became a pioneering physician, an influential writer, and a medical professor, proving that determination can overcome even the steepest barriers.

Women in Medicine Today

Since Blackwell's groundbreaking achievement, women have made remarkable strides in medicine. Consider these milestones:

Beyond the numbers, women physicians are leaders, innovators, and advocates in healthcare. They are shaping medical advancements, mentoring future generations, and bringing a patient-centered perspective to care.

Words of Advice From Women Locum Tenens Physicians

Find Your Support System:

"You will meet many different people at work. Sometimes, you may receive negative comments about yourself. Please don't let those negative comments undermine your ability to learn and grow; maybe take them as a grain of salt. It's about whose opinion you respect; at the end of the day, that's why mentors came into a big role. To me, a mentor is someone who gives honest compliments. They also provide helpful feedback on areas I can improve. A good mentor shares different networks and resources with me. It's very important to find a supportive working environment. Immerse yourself in an environment where you share similar values and have very strong collaboration, this is very valuable for your mental health.". -Dr. C., Locum Tenens Hospitalist

Know Your Value and Never Give Up on Your Dreams:

"I am an attending neurologist with a stroke specialization background. As a female South Asian physician, I am proud that we as a society have made so much progress as women/minorities in medicine.  My advice to my other women in medicine is to know your value. You can have it all and be a phenomenal physician, but also have a wonderful family/personal life. Never give up on your dreams!" -Dr. P.D., Locum Tenens Neurologist

Happy National Women Physicians Day!

National Women Physicians Day is a time to honor the achievements of women in medicine, past and present. Elizabeth Blackwell's legacy lives on in the work of women physicians today, who continue to face and overcome obstacles with a shared passion for serving others.

To all the women physicians providing compassionate, patient-centered care every day—we celebrate you. Thank you for your contributions to medicine and for inspiring the next generation of leaders in healthcare.

How are you recognizing and supporting the women physicians in your life? We'd love to hear!

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